The Holy Bible | Essential Christianity 201
Essential Christianity 201
The Holy Bible
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (MSG) 16There’s nothing like the written Word of God for showing you the way to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God’s way. 17Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV) 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God p may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Essential: Absolutely necessary; extremely important.
Christianity: Christians believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Christians believe that God sent his Son to earth to save humanity from the consequences of its sins.
1 Corinthians 15:1-4 (ESV) Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures…
Soul Tattoo: The Bible is God’s story, fulfilled in Jesus, and essential for life today.
“Remember that reading the Bible is about relationship, not theology, homework, or literary analysis, then it becomes much easier.” (Pastor Chris Hodges, What’s Next)
biblios
Greek city of Byblos
Hagios Biblios
Luke 4:4 (NKJV) 4 But Jesus answered him, saying, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.’ ”
Deuteronomy 8:3 (ESV) 3 And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.
The Bible is not just a book about God; it is the story of God’s plan, fulfilled in Jesus, and essential for living as His people today.
Soul Tattoo: The Bible is God’s story, fulfilled in Jesus, and essential for life today.
66 Separate Books that point to one subject, JESUS!
John 5:39 (NLT) 39You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me!
39 in the Old Testament and 27 in the Old testament:
Law Books (5) Genesis – Deuteronomy
History Books (12) Joshua – Esther
Poetry Books (5) Job – Song of Solomon
Prophecy Books (17) 5 Major Prophets: Isaiah – Daniel; 12 Minor Prophets: Hosea – Malachi
1.) The Bible is God’s Word, not man’s idea.
Isaiah 40:8 (ESV) 8 The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV) 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God p may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
The Bible is divinely inspired, not humanly manufactured.
2 Peter 1:21 (ESV) 21 For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
The Bible is not just written words it is God’s living Word.
2.) The Old Testament points to Jesus.
Genesis 3:15 (ESV) 15 I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”
John 5:39 (NLT) 39You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me!
The Old Testament is the shadow; Jesus is the substance.
3.) God’s covenant story connects the Old and New Testament.
Jeremiah 31:33 (ESV) 33 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
Luke 22:20 (NIV) 20 In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.
From Old to New, the Bible tells one story, God keeps His promises.
4.) The Bible reveals God’s character and His ways.
Exodus 34:6 (ESV) 6 The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness…
John 14:9 (ESV) 9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?
If you want to know God’s heart, read God’s Word.
5.) The Word shapes how we live today.
Psalm 119:105 (ESV) 105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
James 1:22 (ESV) 22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
Deuteronomy 6:4-5 (ESV) 4 “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.
The Bible is not just for knowing it is for living.
Father give me the wisdom to:
Understand Your Word.
Apply Your Word.
Trust Your Word.
Soul Tattoo: The Bible is God’s story, fulfilled in Jesus, and essential for life today.